Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ LEO SABANGAN
MANILA, Philippines–The prosecuting panel on Tuesday asked the Sandiganbayan to suspend Senator Juan Ponce Enrile from public office as he faces plunder and graft charges over the pork barrel scam.
In a motion to suspend filed before the anti-graft court, the prosecutors said Enrile should be suspended to “prevent him from intimidating or influencing witnesses or tampering documentary evidence.”
The prosecutors also said Enrile should be suspended “to avoid further acts of malfeasance while in office.”
“It is presumed that unless the accused is suspended and prevented from discharging official acts, he may frustrate his prosecution and commit further acts of malfeasance,” the motion read.
Enrile surrendered to the police after an arrest warrant was issued against him. But he was rushed to the hospital due to his frail health.
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